Left, Right & Center

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: <a href="https://incogni.com/kcrw">https://incogni.com/kcrw</a> The political brinksmanship over ICE enforcement goes on as travelers in some U.S. airports face hours of wait times at TSA checkpoints. History says voters would blame the party holding things up – Democrats – but polls suggest otherwise, which may be why Republicans are trying so hard to find a compromise. But Democrats aren’t budging, and President Trump isn’t throwing his own party a bone.  With ICE officers deployed to more than a dozen airports, there’s concern that they might be at polling sites this fall, too. The administration hasn’t completely ruled it out, citing potential security issues. Plus, the Supreme Court also tackled voting questions in a case about mail-in ballots. We’ll talk about the substance, and how President Trump might be using the case for political gain.  We also answer a listener’s question about talking to family from across the political aisle. Sarah Isgur is with us on the right and Mo Elleithee joins us on the left. Producer: Leo Duran Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene">David Greene</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/mo-elleithee">Mo Elleithee</a>, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - <a href="https://twitter.com/MoElleithee">@MoElleithee</a> <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/sarah-isgur">Sarah Isgur</a>, senior editor at The Dispatch - <a href="https://twitter.com/whignewtons">@whignewtons</a>

With our nation at war and under threat, the last thing you’d want is uncertainty and a staffing shakeup at the agency responsible for protecting our country. But here we are. We talk about why Joe Kent, the U.S. head of counterterrorism, resigned, and whether we may be better off with a replacement given his history of promoting conspiracy theories.  Also, President Trump vowed to take Cuba. We try to understand the foreign policy that’s taking shape where he seems to favor cutting the head of a country but leaving the body. In other words, don’t get too caught up in the details of what’s next because it’s not my administration’s problem.  Plus we take your questions, including what’s the difference between professional politicians and professional candidates. Mo Elleithee joins us on the left, and Sarah Isgur is with us on the right. Producer: Leo Duran Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene">David Greene</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/mo-elleithee">Mo Elleithee</a>, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - <a href="https://twitter.com/MoElleithee">@MoElleithee</a> <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/sarah-isgur">Sarah Isgur</a>, senior editor at The Dispatch - <a href="https://twitter.com/whignewtons">@whignewtons</a>

A president’s words alone can have a big impact. Like when President Trump told a reporter that the war in Iran is nearly over, oil prices dropped. That was a good sign for consumers, but was that responsible leadership from the president? We’re asking the same question of Congress where one senator said let’s not debate the war because a publicly divided legislative branch isn’t good for our troops abroad.  Also, there will be a change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, with Kristi Noem out and Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin picked to take her place. We’ll talk about the next secretary’s immense challenges ahead,including funding for the agency on hold and concerns about our preparedness for possible terrorist attacks.  Plus, we’ll take your questions as we talk with our panelists Mo Elleithee on the left and Will Swaim on the right. Producer: Leo Duran Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene">David Greene</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/mo-elleithee">Mo Elleithee</a>, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - <a href="https://twitter.com/MoElleithee">@MoElleithee</a> <a href="https://californiapolicycenter.org/">Will Swaim</a>, CEO of the California Policy Center - <a href="https://x.com/WillSwaim">@WillSwaim</a>

The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, killing that country’s leader and sparking celebration from some Iranians. What’s not clear is why. President Trump’s reasoning for all this has been a moving target. We’ll talk about the stakes for the region and for the Trump presidency.  Also, the Congressional effort to limit the president’s war powers falls short. Is it time to just give up on Congress playing a role in authorizing military action?  The midterm elections kicked off with primaries in several states on Tuesday, and we talk about what we learned from the results in Texas where the race for Republican John Cornyn’s senate seat is heating up. We talk with Mo Elleithee on the left and Sarah Isgur on the right. Producer: Leo Duran Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene">David Greene</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/mo-elleithee">Mo Elleithee</a>, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - <a href="https://twitter.com/MoElleithee">@MoElleithee</a> <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/sarah-isgur">Sarah Isgur</a>, senior editor at The Dispatch - <a href="https://twitter.com/whignewtons">@whignewtons</a>

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: <a href="https://incogni.com/kcrw">https://incogni.com/kcrw</a>  The way President Trump saw it in his State of the Union address, our nation is getting stronger, safer and more affordable for American families. Polls paint a different picture where far more people think the economy has gotten worse, not better in Trump’s second term.  The president insists he has more levers to pull, including tariffs, despite the fact that the Supreme Court just shot his tariff policy down. We’ll talk about that defeat for Trump in court – what it says about the court’s makeup, and whether we should take this decision as a major check on presidential power.  Speaking of checks – we talk about the outrage over the way the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team responded in a congratulatory presidential phone call. There’s also outrage over a comment by California’s governor that struck some as racist. We examine when outrage is truly meaningful in this political climate – and who decides – with Mo Elleithee on the left and Sarah Isgur on the right. Producer: Leo Duran Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene">David Greene</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/mo-elleithee">Mo Elleithee</a>, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - <a href="https://twitter.com/MoElleithee">@MoElleithee</a> <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/sarah-isgur">Sarah Isgur</a>, senior editor at The Dispatch - <a href="https://twitter.com/whignewtons">@whignewtons</a>

The fallout from the millions of pages released from the Epstein Files has now reached the British royal family with the arrest of former Prince Andrew. In business and academia, many major figures have stepped down. However American politicians named in the files have faced few consequences. Why is that, and what are some of the larger political implications of the Epstein Files? Also, President Trump is preparing his State of the Union address. Our panelists give their recommendations for what he should focus on and how Democrats can most effectively respond. Plus, the fight over voting rights in Congress and at the state level. Republicans in Washington are trying to pass national voting rules, while Democratic states are actively pushing back. Producer: Leo Duran Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/susan-davis">Susan Davis</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/mo-elleithee">Mo Elleithee</a>, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service -<a href="https://twitter.com/MoElleithee"> @MoElleithee</a> <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/michael-dubke">Mike Dubke</a>, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 -<a href="https://x.com/mikedubke?lang=en"> @MikeDubke</a>

The first votes of the 2026 midterm elections will soon be cast in Texas, and the Senate primary race is shaping up to be messy for both Democrats and Republicans. The two blue candidates, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and state Representative James Talarico are each facing blowback for comments they made about race and identity. There’s also an intraparty fracture between the GOP’s establishment and insurgent wings exposing itself in the race between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and his challenger, Texas Attorney General and Trump ally Ken Paxton. We’ll unpack how unsettled party fault lines on both sides could impact the general election. This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan package called the Housing for the 21st Century Act. Back in October, the Senate passed its own legislation called the ROAD to Housing Act. Both aim to boost housing supply and make buying more affordable for Americans. We’ll break down the policies and the politics. The Winter Olympics are underway in Italy and some American athletes are feeling complicated about representing the United States. After 27-year-old skier Hunter Hess expressed his “mixed emotions,” President Trump responded by calling him “a real loser.”  That insult is common in Trump's playbook when talking to political foes. We’ll talk about whether that playbook is still effective, especially when Olympians are the target. Producer: Robin Estrin Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene">David Greene</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/elizabeth-bruenig">Elizabeth Bruenig</a>, staff writer, The Atlantic - <a href="http://twitter.com/@ebruenig">@ebruenig</a> <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/will-swaim">Will Swaim</a>, host of National Review’s “Radio Free California;” president at the California Policy Center - <a href="https://x.com/WillSwaim">@willswaim</a>

This week, Congress ended a partial government shutdown, approving funding for several federal agencies through September. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees I.C.E and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, was not among those agencies. Democrats say they won’t fund the D.H.S without restrictions on federal immigration agents. In this shifting political landscape, how will congressional Republicans respond? We’ll discuss the Democrats’ demands. How might congress realistically check President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, given the violent and seemingly indiscriminate tactics we’re seeing in Minneapolis and nationally? With the midterms looming, will it be possible for the two parties to come together and compromise? Speaking of elections, President Trump this week repeated a call to “nationalize” elections, saying Republicans should “take over” voting in 15 states. Are free and fair elections under threat?  <a href="https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/carter-baker-commission-16-years-later#:~:text=Linkedin-,Download%20PDF,-Print%20This%20Publication">Here's the Carter-Baker Commission report. </a> Producer: Robin Estrin Host: <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene">David Greene</a>  Guests:  <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/mo-elleithee">Mo Elleithee</a>, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - <a href="https://twitter.com/MoElleithee">@MoElleithee</a> <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/sarah-isgur">Sarah Isgur</a>, senior editor at The Dispatch - <a href="https://twitter.com/whignewtons">@whignewtons</a>

Protests and skirmishes between Minnesota residents and federal agents are still ongoing after the second shooting of a US citizen in Minneapolis this month. Thirty-seven year old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was killed by Border Patrol agents while filming immigration operations in the city. Following a weekend of inflammatory comments by DHS secretary Kristy Noem and other members of the Trump administration, the president has looked to turn the temperature down. He deployed ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to take command of operations in Minneapolis. The experienced immigration official acknowledged that “certain improvements could and should be made” to immigration enforcement in the area. But Homan insisted that more cooperation from state and local officials would be necessary before a reduction in federal presence.    It remains to be seen whether the tonal shift or any changes in operations will be effective in the Twin Cities region. The situation has raised concerns among Congress that legislative action may be necessary. Senate Democrats worked toward a deal with the White House to avoid a government shutdown over DHS funding. While some initial framework has been drawn up, the two sides will continue negotiating new guardrails for ICE and Border Patrol. Will Congress step up for a rare check of the Oval Office? Plus, we’ll answer listener questions about where executive power and America’s position as a world leader stand after a tumultuous start to 2026.

President Trump’s contentious relationship with NATO seemed set to reach its peak at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. European leaders formed a united front against his belligerence over American control of Greenland in recent weeks. The floating of a military attack or new tariffs on NATO members who opposed the move appeared to doom the longstanding alliance. However, upon his arrival, the president walked back any threats of military force and announced that there would be no new tariffs after working out a new agreement with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte. But does that mean the partnership between NATO and the US is back on steady ground? This week marked the first year of the president’s second term in the oval office. It was an eventful year full of legal challenges, deployments, deals  and concepts of deals. The focus in the White House was on the execution of President Trump’s policies on border security and the economy. We’ll look back at how those policies have played out, and discussed what stood out about his first 12 months back in power. Recent social media posts from the White House have come into the spotlight for their controversial language. Critics say the posts are a show of support for far right nationalist ideology. What’s driving the official government accounts to sounding so much more Trump-like than in his first term?

President Trump is threatening to enact the Insurrection Act and deploy National Guard troops in Minneapolis. The threat comes on the heels of continued protests over the January 7th killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. The Trump administration claims Good was a “domestic terrorist,” while protestors call for accountability over the shooting. Our panel discusses the motivation for protestors and whether the  accountability they’re looking for is possible. The president’s desire to show force isn’t limited to the nation’s borders. Vice President JD Vance met with Danish officials to discuss control of Greenland this week. After the meeting, President Trump insisted that all options remain on the table for the US to take control of the arctic nation - including military action. He is also considering US involvement in Iran to support civilians who are calling for the removal of the country’s government. Both moves threaten to upend the existing world order. Is that what Trump wants?

At the end of a cabinet meeting this week, President Trump unleashed controversial comments about Minnesota’s Somali community. The president said he “[didn’t] want them in our country” and referred to Minnesota’s Somali-American congresswoman Ilhan Omar as “garbage”. His diatribe came as reports surfaced of ICE raids in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region targeting Somalis in the area. The Department of Homeland Security said that there would be increased focus on immigrant communities in the wake of the November 26th shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., which had no connection to Somali-Americans. Is the administration clouding legitimate questions about immigrant vetting with its actions? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued to deny reports he ordered an illegal strike on a boat suspected of trafficking drugs in the Caribbean. Congressional Armed Services Committees have opened investigations into the attack. What could accountability look like legally and politically? A new feature on X reveals where accounts on the app originated from . A number of popular accounts posting about American politics were exposed as foreign users. Is there any way to push back on the influence of foreign actors on social media?

President Trump put his signature on a bill that will fund the government through the end of January. The bill brought an end to a 43-day shutdown of the federal government. A group of eight Democratic senators negotiated with Senate Majority leader John Thune to get concessions for furloughed and laid off government workers, and the funding of several federal agencies. The deal did not include the extensions for healthcare subsidies that had become a key messaging point for Democrats throughout the shutdown. Will working out a deal without a big win hurt the political leverage the party seemed to be building? What will it mean for the position of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer? Next, Congress turns back to the Epstein files, with new emails emerging that appeared damning for President Trump.  The president signed off on several pardons this week. Among those receiving the pardons were Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and other members of the president’s inner circle who faced scrutiny for their roles in undermining the 2020 election. None of the 70 individuals pardoned were facing federal charges. So what was the point? Does the pardon process need a facelift?  The Supreme Court rejected the appeal of a Kentucky county clerk who wanted them to reconsider the landmark same-sex marriage case Obergefell v. Hodges. Concerns on the left about the case’s standing were high after the court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. KCRW discusses why Obergefell may not be overturned anytime soon, and answers a question from a listener looking for insight from last week’s election margins.

Democrats are celebrating a collection of election wins across the country this week. Messaging around affordability and the cost of living scored big wins for the party in the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races, as well as mayoral races in several major cities. Will a successful off year help the party smooth over its internal disagreements heading into next year’s midterms? California passed Proposition 50, a proverbial counter punch to redistricting efforts in Texas and other red states. The state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, says the legislation is a temporary fix to the campaign by President Donald Trump to create more congressional seats for conservatives. Democrats promise to be the “adults in the room,” but can they deliver? Can voters really exert their power if the two major parties control the candidates they have to choose from? KCRW discusses one potential solution to the political Coke vs. Pepsi problem.

Officials from Hamas and Israel have come together on the initial framework of a ceasefire agreement. In the first phase, Israeli and Palestinian hostages will be released next week. Other details, such as disarmament of Hamas, governance of Palestine, and the removal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip remain to be seen. President Trump celebrated the agreement and pronounced “lasting peace” in the Middle East, but is that premature? Political violence on the left continues to be a focus of the Trump administration in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. The White House has accused massive anti-ICE protests of being connected to large networks of left-wing nonprofits and donors. Is there legitimacy to those claims? Or is the administration silencing any opponents? Global superstar Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime entertainment for this season’s Super Bowl. The artist, whose music is predominantly in Spanish, previously avoided touring in the USA after concerns that his concerts would be targeted by ICE raids. In response to the announcement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that ICE would be present at the NFL’s signature event. But are agents there for law enforcement or other motives?

The federal government shut down this week, leaving thousands of federal employees furloughed. Families who depend on WIC and SNAP could also be at risk if the shutdown prolongs. Since President Trump took office, thousands of federal employees have faced layoffs or resigned themselves.  Conversations around a government shutdown brewed in March, but the final straw for Democrats may have been in August. That was when Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said the House of Representatives would withhold $4 billion previously allocated for foreign aid. Trump blames Democrats for the shutdown. Which party will get their desired outcome here? Ezra Klein, a New York Times opinion writer, said that a shutdown may be exactly what Democrats need to regain power of the legislative branch. But could it jeopardize the party’s political future? Also this week, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered global military leaders in Quantico, Virginia, sharing their visions for the newly-named Department of War. This comes after 200 National Guard troops were sent to Portland, Oregon because Trump said the city looked like “World War II.” How do active and retired military members feel about orders to enforce the law in American cities?